Portable electric-lighting apparatus.



H. H. HIRSGH.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC IIGHTING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOH FILED MAY29, 1913.

Patented May 19, 1914.

INVENTOR: m WW/TMQ Y Ma-cuf WITNESSES: f I

the outer metallic HIRAM H. HIRSCH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PORTABLE ELECTRIC-LIGHTING APPARATUS.

Specification of,Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1914.

Application filed m 29, 1913. Serial No. 770,753.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM H. HIRSCH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Port-able Electric-Lighting Apparatus, whereof the following is a speci fication, reference being had to the accompanying drawing. I

My invention relates to apparatus including an incandescent lamp in cooperative relation'with a storagebattery provided with means to attach it to the person of a miner or other operator, and provides a safety casing for the lamp designed to extinguish the light to prevent ignition of fire-damp or other explosive gases when said casing is subjected to stresses tending to break the lamp.

As hereinafter described my invention includes a lamp casing and removable cover provided with a transparent lens or panel, norm ally assembled in substantially hermetical relation; said casing having distinct oppositely polarized elements included in the lamp circuit, 'so constructed and arranged that they are shifted to modify the lamp circuitand instantaneously extinguish the lamp, whenever said casing is crushed or punctured. Said casing is detachably connected with a socket having an angle plate for engagement with a miners cap, and a flexible connector extending from said socket comprising an outer flexible metallic tube constituting one conductor and inclosing a flexible wire constituting the other conductor; the opposite end of said connector being shaped for detachable connection with a battery socket with which said lamp casing-may be directly connected without the intervention of said flexible connectdr.

My invention includes the various novel .features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified; the lamp casing and appurtenances thereof being claimed in my copending application Serial #770,752 for Letters Patent of the United States.

In the drawings, Figure I is a fragmentary sectional view of a lamp casing, flexible connector, and storage,- battery embodying my improvement. Fig. II is an end view of the head socket of said flexible connector. Fig. III is-an end view of the terminal elbow of said flexible connector,

In said figures, the lamp casing includes cupsshap'ed shell 1 having material, conveniently hard rubber or a rubber composition, is seated in said screw flange 3 and has the two annular grooves f8 and 9 interrupted by the abutment 10 formed by an ungrooved portion of said ring 6. Said ring 6 has diametrically opposite panel recesses 12 and 13 to receive the respectively opposite end corners of the rectangular plane transparent panel 15. conveniently formed of glass, extending transverselyv with respect to"the axis of said casing. Said casing is provided with the removable cover including the annular metallic frame 17 having the screw thread 18 fitted to the screw threadB on said shell 1 and having the flange 19 overlapping the edge of the circular concavo-convex transparent panel 21, which is conveniently formed of molded glass. and may be a lens. The resilient gasket 22. conveniently formed of soft rubber, is fitted in said cover band 17 and adapted to hear u 011 the edge of said panel .21 and upon sai insulating ring 6 in said ,shell 1 so as to hermetically seal the joint between them. The plug of insulatin material 24 is fitted in said outer shell shank 5 and prevented from rotating by the key 25 which extends in the keyway 26 in said plug 24 and has its inner end projecting through the opening 28 in said outer shell shank. The intermediate cup-shaped shell 29 has the flange 30 at its outer end fitted in the groove 8 of said ring 6, and has the notch 32 coincident with said abutment 10 in said ring which prevents said shell from rotating therein. Said intermediate shell 29 has the cylindrical shank 34 which is rigidly connected with said plug 24. by the axial bolt 35, which extends through said plug,hav1ng the head 36 within said inner shell 29 and the nut 37 exterior to said plug 24 serving as the negative electrical terminal of and lamp casing. the positive terminal being said outer shell shank 5.

The inner parabolic reflector shell 40 has the flange-41' fitted to the groove 9 1n said ring 6 and has the notch 42 coincident with the abutment 10 in said ring so that relative rotation of said shell is prevented. Said inner shell 40 has the cylindrical shank 4=3 carrying the spring contact 45 having its inner end extending parallel with the axis of the lamp casing in electrical contact with the outer surface of 'said shank of the shell 40, the opposite end of said spring being normally upheld by said panel 15 so as to press the bight 46 of said spring into electrical contact with the outer shell 1 as shown in Fig. I. Said spring 45 is rigidly connected with said inner reflector shell 40 by the metallic collar 48 encircling said shank 43 and the end of said spring as shown in Fig. I; said collar 48, spring 45 and shank 43 being electrically connected with the screw threaded bushing 50 in the latter by solder. Said bushing 50' fits the metallic screw threaded sleeve terminal 52 of the incandescent electric lamp 53 which has the axial metallic terminal 54 in contact with the head 36 of said bolt 35; said inner shell 40 being held in concentric relation with said intermediate shell 29 by the band 56 of insulating material encircling said shank 43 on said inner shell 40 and extending into the shank 34 of the intermediate shell 29.

The tubular head socket 58 is fitted to extend over the plug 24 and shank 25 on said outer shell 1 of the lamp casing and has the bayonet slot 59 arranged to engage the projecting end of said key 25; the slotted end of said socket being reinforced by the band 60 rigidly connected therewith, by solder. Said socket 58 has the outer shoulder 61 against which fits the flange 63 of the angle plate 64 which is fitted for detachable engagement with the bracket 65 on the miners head cap 66. The inner shoulder 68 in said shell 58 determines the position of the insulating diaphragm 69 which supports the metallic thimble 70 in which is seated the contact spring 71 arranged to make detachable electrical connection with said nut 37 on the lamp casing. The flexible metal tube 73, conveniently formed of a spirally wrapped strip having interlocking edges, is rigidly connected with said socket 58 at one end with the hollow terminal elbow 74 at the opposite end; 'the junction of said tube 73 with said elbow being reinforced by the spiral spring cover 75 which is rigidly connected with said elbow at one end as shown in Fig. I. The end of said elbow opposite from said spring is cylindrical, of the same diameter as the lamp casing shank 5, and has a locking projection 76 like the projecting end of said key 25 so that said casing and elbow may be interchangeably fitted in the battery casing socket 78 in electricalconnection with .the battery 80; said flexible tube 73 serving as one conductor, the other conductor being the flexible wire 82 extending through said flexible tube 73 from which it is insulated by its covering 83. Said wire is electrically connected with said contact spring 71 in said head socket 58, and with the terminal eyelet 85 which is mounted in theinsulating bush-:

ing 86 in the metallic cap 87 in said elbow 74.

As indicated in Fig. I, the ositive battery terminal 89 is connecte with said socket 78, and the negative battery terminal 90 is connectedwith the casing spring. terminal 91 which is in electrical contact with m said eyelet 85 so that said lamp 53 is electrically connected with said battery when said flexible connector is interposed between them as shown in Fig. 1. However, the arrangement above described is such that if 'said outer shell 1 be crushed into contact with the intermediate shell 29 said lamp 53 is short circuited and extinguished. Moreover, if said glass panel 15 be broken or otherwise displaced said spring 45 snaps away from said outer shell 1 so as to break the circuit and extinguish said lamp. Furthermore, said spring 45 which normally electrically connects said inner. and outer shells as shown in Fig. I, through the notch 32 in the intermediate shell 29 which is normally held outof electrical contact with said spring by the insulating abutment 10 in the ring 6, extends so close to the intermediate shell 29 that very slight distortion of the lamp casing causes said spring to contact with said intermediate shell and thus shortcircuit and extinguish the lamp.

My invention being particularly applicable to apparatus carried upon the person of a miner, the casing of said battery 80 is conveniently detachably and slidably connected with the miners belt 93 by the sheet metal loop 94 on the battery casing 95, so that the latter may be shifted around the belt in. accordance with the position which the miner desires to assume. For instance, it being frequently necessary for the miner to work in recumbent position, said battery may be shifted to the back of the belt when the miner desires to' lie upon either side, and

it may be shifted-to either side when the miner desires to lie upon his back. Consequently the electrical connections between said battery and the lamp casing would be frequently subjected to considerable tensile strains if of ordinary construction. However, it may be observed that the flexible tube 73 not only constitutes an electrical conductor between said battery and lamp casing but mechanically connects them and is so strong as to sustain, without detriment, the tensile stresses aforesaid and-without permitting such stresses to in anywise disturb the electrical connections. In other words, the flexible connector above described is not only an electrical connector but a mechanical connector between said battery and lamp casing, capable of sustaining all of the stresses incident to the use of the 1 apparatus under the abnormal conditions above contemplated.

- .I (10 not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that va-rlous modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential fea-- tures of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

shank having an axial terminal; of a battery socket including a hollow cylindrical member, having a bayonet slot arranged to engage said locking projection, constituting one battery terminal, inclosing another, axial, battery terminal; a flexiblemechanical and electrical connector, between said lamp casing and battery, including a tubular head socket fitted to extend over said lamp casing shank and having a bayonet slot arranged to engage said locking projection, a reinforcing band encircling the end of said socket at said slot; an angle plate fitted for engagement with a head cap; and having a flange encircling said head socket; an insulating diaphragm in said socket; a metallic thimble in said diaphragm; a spring seated in said thimble arranged to make electrical connection with said axial terminal of said lamp casing; a flexible metallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor, secured to said socket; a hollow terminal elbow atthe opposite end of said flexible tube; a spiral spring secured to said terminal elbow and encircling said flexible' tube"; a cap on said terminal elbow at its end opposite from said spring; an insulating bushing in said cap; a metallic eyelet in said bushing; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor connecting the spring in said thimble with said eyelet; and a locking projection on said elbow; the end of said elbow pro vided with said eyelet being of the same diameter as said casing shank, so that said casing and said elbow may be interchangeably fitted in electrical connection with said battery socket...

2. In a portable electric lighting apparatus, the combination with a lamp casing having a cylindrical shank constituting an electrical terminal and having a radial locking projection, and an insulating plug in said shank having an axial terminal; of-a battery socket including a hollow cylindrical member, having means arranged to engage said locking projection, constituting one battery terminal, inclosing another batte terminal; a flexible mechanical and electrical connector, between said lamp casing and battery, including a tubular head socket fitted to extend over said lamp casing shank and having means arranged to engage said locking projection; means on sald head socket 1,097,023 a I I fitted for engagement with a head cap; an insulating diaphragm in said socket; a nietallic thimble in said diaphragm; a spring seated in said thimble arranged to make electrical connection with said axial terminal of said lamp casing; a flexible metallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor, secured to said. socket; a hollow terminal elbow at theopposite end of said flexible tube; a-

spiral spring secured to said terminal elbow and encircling said flexible tube; a cap on said terminal elbow at its end opposite from said spring; an insulating bushing in said cap; a metallic eyelet in said bushing; a

flexible, wire constituting an electrical conductor connecting the spring in said thimble with said eyelet; and a locking project-ion on said elbow; the end of said elbow provided with said eyelet being of the same diameter as said casing shank, so that said casing and said elbow may be interchangeably fitted in electrical connection with said bats tery socket. v

3. In a portable electric lighting apparatus, the combination with a lamp casing having a shank constituting an electrical terminal, and an insulating plug in said shank holding another terminal; of a battery socket including a terminal arranged to electrically connect with said shank, and another battery terminal; a flexible mechanical and electrical connector, between said lamp casing and battery, including a tubular head socket fitted to electrically connect with said lainp casing shank; means on said head socket fitted for engagement with a head cap; an insulating diaphragm in said socket; a metallic thimble in said diaphragm; a spring seated in said thimble arranged to make electrical connection with said axial terminal of said lamp casing; a flexible metallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor, secured to said socket; a hollow terminal elbow at the opposite end of said.

flexible tube; a spiral spring secured to said ,terminal elbow and encircling said flexible tube; acap on said terminal elbow at its end opposite from said spring; an insulating bushing in said cap; a metallic eyelet in said bushing; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor connecting the spring in said thimble with said eyelet; and a. locking projection on said elbow; the end of said elbow provided with said eyelet being of the same diameter as said casing shank, so that said casing and said elbow may be interchangeably fitted in electrical connection with said battery socket.

.4. In a portable electric lighting apparatus, thecombination with a lamp casing having 'a shank constituting an electrical terminal, and an insulating plug in said shank holding another terminal; of a battery socket including a terminal arranged to electrically connect with said shank, and another batmake electrical connection with said axial terminal of said lamp casing; a flexible me-' tallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor, secured to said socket; a hollow terminal elbow at the opposite end of said flexible tube; a spring secured to said terminal elbow and reinforcing said flexible tube; a cap on said terminal elbow at its end opposite from said spring; an insulating bushing in said cap; a metallic terminal in said bushing; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor connecting the spring in said thimble with said bushing terminal; and a locking projection on said elbow; the end of said elbow pro ided with said eyelet 4 "being of the" same diameter as said casing shank, so that said casing and said elbow may be interchangeably fitted in electrical connection with said battery socket.

5. A flexible mechanical and electrical connector, including a tubular head socket; an insulating diaphragm in said socket; a. metallic thimble in said diaphragm; a spring contact seated in said thimble; a flexible metallic tube, formed of a spiral strip with interlocked edges, constituting an electrical conductor, secured to said socket; a hollow terminal elbow at the opposite end of said flexible tube; a spiral spring secured to said terminal elbow and reinforcing saidflexible tube; a cap on said terminal elbow at its end opposite from said spring; an insulat- Tng bushing in said cap; a metallic terminal .11 said bushing: a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor connecting the spring in said thimble with said bushing terminal; and a locking projection on said elbow; the

end of said elbow provided with said eyelet being of the same cmimeter as said casing shank, so that said casing and said elbow maybe interchangeably fitted 1n electrlcal connection with said battery socket.

6. A flexible mechanical and electrical connector including a flexible metallic tube. formed of a spiral strip with interlocked edges, constituting an electrical conductor; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor extending through said tube; terminal fittings including hollow metallic members carried by said flexible metallic tube respectively at the opposite ends thereof, one of said fittings being an elbow; insulating elements in said hollow terminals; and terminals connected with said flexible wire at the respectively opposite ends thereof andsupported by said insulating elements.

' A flexible mechanical and electrical connector including a flexible metallic tube,

constituting an electrical conductor; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor extending through said tube; terminal fittings including hollow metallic members carried by said flexible metallic tube respectively at the opposite ends thereof, one of said fittings beingan elbow; insulating elements in said hollow terminals; and terminals connected with said flexible wire at the respectively opposite ends thereof and supported by said insulating elements.

8. A flexible mechanical and electrical connector including a flexible metallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor extending through said tube; terminal fittin gs including hollow metallic members carried by said flexible metallic tube respectively at the opposite ends thereof; insulating elements in said hollow terminals; and terminals connected with said flexible wire at the respectively opposite ends thereof and supported by said insulating elements.

9. A flexible mechanical and electrical connector including a flexible metallic tube, constituting an electrical conductor; a flexible wire constituting an electrical conductor extending through said tube; terminal tittings including hollow metallic members carried by said flexible metallic tube respectively at the opposite ends thereof; insulating elements in said hollow terminals beyond the ends of. said tube and supported independently of the latter; and terminals connected with said flexible wire at the respectively opposite ends thereof and supported by said insulating elements.

10. A flexible mechanical and electrical connector including an outer metallic tube and a wire extending through said tube in relatively movable relation therewith intermediate of its lengthy-electrical connecting means at the respectively opposite ends of said tube including hollow metallic member's carried. by said tube; electrical connecting means at the respectively opposite ends of HIRAM H. mason. Witnesses:

KATHLYN M. DONOHUE,

' S. T. HANNEGAN. 

